Matar Paneer Recipe

 Matar Paneer is a popular vegetarian North Indian dish in which Cottage Cheese ( Paneer) and green Peas are cooked in spicy onion tomato based gravy. It is usually served with plain Chapati, Naan or Jeera Rice. 

Paneer is loved in my house and i make this dish on regular basis , so i do not add any cream or cashews in this gravy to cut down the calories. Use of kasuri methi adds a nice flavor and aroma to the dish. Have made this gravy using home made soft Paneer and fresh green Peas. Also the use of freshly ground spice mix makes the gravy more flavorful. Can replace the Cottage Cheese with Tofu to make the dish Vegan. A very delicious dish with a simple and easy to follow recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 200-250 grams Paneer ( Cottage Cheese)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green Peas ( Matar)
• 2 Onions chopped
• 2 Tomatoes chopped
• 1 Green chili
• 3-4 Garlic pods
• 1/2 inch ginger piece
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds
• 2 tbsp Tomato sauce
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
• 2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp Kasuri Methi ( dried Fenugreek Leaves)
• Fresh Coriander leaves to garnish
• Salt to taste
• 3 tbsp Oil

  For the spice mix powder :

• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds
• 3-4 Black Pepper Corns

  Method:

1. Make roughly square or diamond shape pieces of Paneer and keep aside. If using store bought frozen Paneer, place the Paneer cubes in warm water for 10-15 minutes. drain and pat dry on kitchen towel. This will make the Paneer cubes soft.

   2.  Dry roast the Cumin seeds, Coriander seeds and the Pepper corns and make a dry powder using a grinder and keep aside. Boil the green peas until soft. I have boiled them in a microwave. 

   3. In a wok heat 1 tbsp Oil and add the chopped Onions. Saute until the onions become translucent. Now add the finely chopped Tomatoes and saute again for 2-3 minutes. 

   4. Remove the sauteed Onions and Tomatoes and grind them to a paste in a grinder . Also grind the Green chilly , Ginger and Garlic to a paste. Keep aside. In the same pan heat remaining 2 tbsp Oil on a medium flame. Add Cumin seeds. Once the seeds sizzle add the green chili and ginger garlic paste. Saute well.

  5. Now add the Onion Tomato paste and mix well. Saute this mixture again for 1-2 minutes. Now add the Tomato sauce and mix well.

  6.  Add the Turmeric powder, Red Chili Powder and the spice mix powder. Mix well and saute the masala until it leaves the sides of the pan. 

   7.  At this stage add the boiled green peas.Mix well and saute for a minute or so. Now add the hot water and adjust the thickness of the gravy as per choice. Add salt, stir and give it a boil.

  8. Add the Paneer chunks into the gravy and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Lastly add the crushed Kasuri methi and garnish the gravy with  chopped fresh Coriander leaves. Put off the flame.

  9. Serve the delicious Matar Paneer gravy with Naan or Jeera Rice.

   For more Paneer dishes , check my posts on 

• Paneer Makhanwala
• Palak Paneer
• Kadhai Paneer
• Paneer Lolipop
• Paneer Tikka
• Stuffed Paneer Paratha